C H R I S T I A N M A C K A Y , E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E RM O N T A N A D E P A R T M E N T O F L I V E S T O C K

INTERAGENCY BISON MANAGEMENT PLAN

HISTORY & OVERVIEW

LONG TERM CONFLICT

• Bison at brink of extinction in 1905• 21 park bison and 25

restored bison making up restoration herd

• Bison intensively managed between 1905-1967• Vaccination• Testing• Slaughter (in park abattoir)

• During same time, MT engaged in aggressive brucellosis eradication effort from cattle

LONG TERM CONFLICT

• Chronic conflict between YNP and Montana leading to court mandated IBMP

• Conflict over population management, boundary control, and brucellosis prevalence

• Conflict between Governors & state veterinarians, and National Park Service, USDA, Department of Interior, and Department of Agriculture since 1967.

LONG TERM CONFLICT

• IBMP is Record of Decision (ROD) providing for:

• Goal of maintaining free ranging bison (within boundaries) and preventing transmission of brucellosis

• Partnership between 5 agencies (2 state, 3 federal)

• Three step plan of reducing prevalence leading to increased tolerance for bison outside YNP

• Three tribal representatives (CSKT, Nez Perce tribe, ITBC) join in 2009

TWO THEATERS OF OPERATION

Western MDOL lead agency YNP lead agency

LONG TERM CONFLICT

• Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study• Producing disease free bison• Relocation of bison highly

controversial• Total of 180??? (Fort Peck,

Turner Enterprises)• National Bison Range

• Governor Schweitzer Executive Order(s)• Eliminate shipping to slaughter

in 2011• Exec. Order 16-2011 limiting

transport of federal wildlife across Montana by permission only. This order stands.

• BQFS bison – Corwin Springs

LONG TERM CONFLICT

• IBMP managers expand tolerance area in North Management area near Gardiner• Decision get litigated by Farm Bureau, Park Co

Stockgrowers and Park County in 2012 and State wins on all counts in January 2013

“BIG” ISSUES

• Conservation of YNP bison• Genetic diversity• Population

• Disease reduction from current 50% rate of brucellosis• Vaccination

• Captured bison• Remote vaccination

• Removal of seropositives

BIG ISSUES (2)

• Continual struggle with bison population control• Population more important than brucellosis??

BIG ISSUES (2)

• Continual struggle with bison population control

• Immunocontraception• Temporary sterilization of bison • Prevent transmission• Reduce population growth

• Governor Schweitzer proposed hunting inside YNP• Allow hunting during desirable time of year• Allow “fair chase” hunt• Restore aboriginal harvest and customs

BIG ISSUES (3)

• Complication of elk• Montana elk have brucellosis up to 17% in southern Park

County• Wyoming winter feeds elk like cattle

• Feed grounds have 30-60% brucellosis

• Montana’s brucellosis program• IBMP participation (DOL, FWP)• Designated Surveillance Area (DSA)

• Surveillance and marketing program for cattle• 5 affected herds since 2007 (none between 1985—07)

WHERE TO NEXT?

• Promote population reductions to minimize boundary conflicts• Hunting (outside and within the park)• Transport to processing

• Support disease reduction• Aggressive vaccination (outside and inside YNP)• EA on remote vaccination – YNP• Immunocontraception

THE END